Cleaning method for textile fabrics

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a more effective method of treating a spot or stain on a textile fabric, the method comprising the steps of: applying a detergent composition to the spot or stain; placing an absorbent layer adjacent to one side of the textile fabric in the region of the spot or stain; and applying heat, pressure, or heat and pressure, to the opposing side of the textile fabric in the region of the spot or stain, preferably in the presence of a hydrophilic solvent, or water, so that some or all of the spot or stain is absorbed into the absorbent layer. The detergent composition can be applied to the textile fabric using a container having a cap to which a foam pad is secured. The cap has a small opening through which the detergent composition can pass.

The present invention relates to a method of removing spots and stainsfrom textile fabrics.

Some stains are not always effectively removed by conventional laundrycleaning processes, for example in a washing machine. Such stains may bemore effectively removed by pre-treatment, which herein means a cleaningtreatment carried out before the conventional laundry cleaning process;and/or by post-treatment, which herein means a cleaning treatmentcarried out after the conventional laundry cleaning process. The presentinvention is concerned with a post-treatment cleaning method.

EP200807, published on Nov. 12, 1986, discloses an iron intended forcleaning clothes during ironing, i.e. a post-treatment. To achieve thisobjective the housing of the iron can be adapted with a recess toreceive a brush (page 3, line 22 to page 4, line 1). The iron is alsoprovided with vacuum cleaning means. There is no suggestion thatcleaning compositions could be used to enhance the cleaning method.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,748,268, published on Jul. 24, 1973, discloses spot andstain removing detergent compositions. The compositions are intendedprimarily for cleaning carpets, although textile fabrics are alsomentioned The patent suggests that a pre-treatment cleaning methodcomprising gentle rubbing action may be used to help work the detergentcomposition into the stain, followed by stain removal using a dryabsorbent cloth. Water is then applied to complete the cleaningoperation, optionally using an absorbent material to remove the soil andcomposition remnants.

Many textile fabrics, however, especially those made from silk or wool,are much more delicate than carpets. What may be considered as a gentlerubbing action when applied to a carpet could be considered as a harshrubbing action when applied to a textile fabric. The very gentletreatment that is acceptable for delicate fabrics, however, may resultin incomplete removal of stains.

DE-A-43 03 454, published on Aug. 11, 1994, describes a process forstain removal and a stain removal set. The process comprises the stepsof applying a stain remover to a stain which is then activated andwashed out with hot water. The hot water is applied by means of heatingwater in a sponge using a hot iron. This cleaning process results inwater being applied to a large area of the fabric, i.e. and areacorresponding at least to the area of the sponge, which can result infresh, greasy stains being spread over the fabric rather than beingremoved. Furthermore, the presence of the sponge between the fabric andthe iron prevents the heat from effectively reaching the region of thespot or stain. Simply applying more heat from the iron results inscorching or melting the sponge.

The object of the present invention is to provide a more effectivemethod of treating a spot or stain on a textile fabric comprising thesteps of: applying a detergent composition to the spot or stain; placingan absorbent layer adjacent to one side of the textile fabric in theregion of the spot or stain; and applying heat, pressure, or heat andpressure so that some or all of the spot or stain is absorbed into theabsorbent layer.

It is a further object of the present invention that the textile fabricshould be dry and ready to wear at the end of the cleaning method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is achieved by applying the heat and/orpressure to the opposing side of the textile fabric in the region of thespot or stain preferably in the presence of a hydrophilic solvent orwater. Without wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that theapplication of heat and/or pressure improves the cleaning efficiency bymodifying the physical characteristics, such as viscosity, whichpromotes better penetration of the detergent composition into the stain,thereby improving cleaning efficiency. Furthermore the application ofheat evaporates any residual water leaving the textile fabric dry.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a method of treating a spotor stain on a textile fabric is provided comprising the steps of:

(a) applying a detergent composition to the spot or stain and placing anabsorbent layer adjacent to the textile fabric in the region of the spotor stain and a first means for transferring some or all of the spot orstain into the absorbent layer; and subsequently

(b) applying a hydrophilic solvent, or water, to the textile fabric inthe region of the spot or stain and placing an absorbent layer adjacentto the textile fabric in the region of the spot or stain and a secondmeans for transferring some or all of the spot or stain into theabsorbent layer.

The second means for transferring the stain to the absorbent layer ispreferably by applying heat, more preferably by using a hand-helddomestic iron. The first means for transferring some or all of the spotor stain, preferably comprises the step of rubbing, pressing or brushingthe spot or stain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the top and longitudinal view of a container with a foampad secured to its cap. The cap has a small central opening throughwhich the liquid can pass.

FIG. 2 shows the top and longitudinal view of a container with a brushsecured to its cap. The cap has a small central opening through whichthe liquid can pass.

FIG. 3 shows the top and longitudinal view of a container with a convexshaped polypropylene porous pad. The pad has pore size ranging from 300to 700 micrometers.

FIG. 4 shows the top and longitudinal view of a container with a convexshaped polypropylene porous pad and a supporting plate which has aplurality of holes which restricts the amount of liquid that passesthrough the porous material. The pad has pore size ranging from 300 to700 micrometers.

FIG. 5 shows the top and longitudinal view of a container with a roll-ontype extremity.

FIG. 6 shows the top and longitudinal view of a container with apiston-type extremity. Upon pressing of the tip of the piston against afabric surface, a liquid is released from within the container onto thefabric.

FIG. 7 shows the longitudinal view of a conventional container with anelongated extremity, used to apply liquid on surfaces.

FIG. 8 shows a hand-operated device having sponge-type first and secondtreatment members.

FIG. 9 shows a hand-operated device having a bristled protuberancescomprising the first treatment member and a disposable sponge as asecond treatment member.

FIG. 10 shows a hand-operated device with the first and second treatmentmembers comprising looped protuberances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A most preferred cleaning method comprises the steps of:

(a) applying a detergent composition to a spot or stain and placing anabsorbent layer adjacent to the textile fabric in the region of the spotor stain and a first means for transferring some or all of the spot orstain into the absorbent layer; and subsequently

(b) applying a hydrophilic solvent, or water, to the textile fabric inthe region of the spot or stain and placing an absorbent layer adjacentto the textile fabric in the region of the spot or stain and the step ofapplying heat to the textile fabric in the region of the spot or stain.The application of heat or pressure, or both, may be achieved by anymeans, but is most preferably achieved by a hand-held device such as aniron. A conventional iron having a hot-plate fixed to a body is a highlypreferred hand held device. The hot-plate is heated most commonly byelectrical means, and may have a means for controlling the temperature.A supply of water or steam may also be provided by the iron. Mostpreferably the absorbent layer is placed on a flat surface, such as anironing board, and the stained or soiled textile fabric is laid flat ontop of, and in contact with, the absorbent layer. The iron can then beeasily applied to the textile fabric in the region of the stain or spotin order to ensure complete, or substantially complete, transfer of thestain or spot into the absorbent layer. The iron is preferably operatedat a temperature of from 40° C. to 180° C.

An alternative device for applying heat or pressure is a heated rolleror any other heated applicator. The roller or applicator may also beprovided with a supply of the detergent composition.

Suitable applicators include a steam iron with suction brush attachment,such as that disclosed in EP-A-0 493 348, and a thermoelectricapplicator, such as that disclosed in EP-A-0 552 397. Also suitable is asteam iron with atomiser, such as that disclose in EP-A-0 629 736wherein the detergent composition may optionally be stored in the ironand delivered directly onto the textile fabrics by means of theatomiser.

Without wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that hydrophobicstains are first rendered hydrophilic by applying a detergentcomposition, optionally with a gentle rubbing action; water is thenapplied to the stain, again, optionally with a gentle rubbing action.The stain is removed by laying the stained fabric adjacent to anabsorbent layer. The stain, which has been rendered more hydrophilic bythe treatment, is transferred to the absorbent layer.

Textile fabrics are any materials made from cloth, including garmentssuch as shirts, blouses, socks, skirts, trousers, jackets, underwearetc, and also including tablecloths, towels, curtains etc. Thedefinition of textile fabrics as used herein does not include carpetsand similar floor coverings.

Textile fabrics which are to be used in the present invention arecommonly made by weaving or knitting. Many different fibres may be usedto produce woven, knitted or other types of textile fabric includingsynthetic fibres (such as polyester, polyamide, etc.) and natural fibresfrom plants (such as cotton, hemp) and from animals (such as wool,angora, silk). Blends of different fibres are also commonly used.

Preferred components of the detergent composition will now be describedin more detail.

A highly preferred component of the detergent composition for use hereinis a solvent. More preferred solvents are defined in terms of Hansenparameters. A hydrophobic solvent as defined herein is considered to bea solvent having Hansen hydrogen bonding cohesion parameter dH below 18(Joule/cm³)⁰.5. Preferred hydrophobic solvents have a Hansen hydrogenbonding cohesion parameter dH below 12 (Joule/cm³)⁰.5 and a Hansen polarparameter dH below 8 (Joule/cm³)⁰.5.

Preferred solvents for use comprise mixtures of hydrocarbons with aflash point no lower than 70° C., an initial boiling point no lower than130° C. and a solidification point not above 20° C. and aliphatic fattyacid esters. More preferred solvents would be alkanes or alkenes with achain length above C7, and particularly alkanes and alkenes with anaverage of C8 to C20 atoms. Particularly preferred hydrophobic solventsare deodorised kerosine; solvent naphta; chlorinated hydrocarbons; andterpenes. Even more preferred are paraffins; isoparaffins; naphthenes;aromatics; olefins; 1,1,1-trichloroethane perchloroethylene; methylenechloride; Shellsol SS® mixture (C8-C11 isoparaffin +5% aliphatic C7ester); and D-Limonene. Solvents are used in the detergent compositionsof the present invention preferably at a level of from 3% to 90%, morepreferably from 4% to 45%, and most preferably from 5% to 25% by weightof the detergent composition.

Other solvents having a Hansen parameter of dH less than 18(Joule/cm³)⁰.5 include glycol ethers, more preferably glycol ethersbased upon ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or mixtures thereof.Particularly preferred are ethylene glycol monoethyl ether; Propyleneglycol monomethyl ether; 2-butoxy ethanol; butyl diethylene glycol etherethanol; butoxytriglycol; butylene glycol; hexylene glycol; and propylpropanol. Such solvents may, and preferably are, used in combinationwith either short chain surfactants, long chain surfactants, or mixturesthereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the hydrophobic solvents definedabove are used in combination with mixtures of short chain and longchain surfactants having preferably an overall HLB value of from 2 to16, and more preferably from 8 to 14. Preferred molar ratio ofshort-chain to long chain ratios are from 1:10 to 10:1, more preferablybetween 1:3 and 3:1, most preferably about 1:1.

Surfactants are preferably present at a level of from 1 to 50%, morepreferably 10 to 40% and most preferably 15 to 30% by weight of thedetergent composition.

Short chain surfactants are surfactants which comprise a C6-C10 alkylchain as their hydrophobic portion. Preferred short-chain surfactantsfor use are the C4-C8 fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers with 2-5 EO. C6-C8alkyl sulphonates, C6-C8 alkyl sulphates, C6-C8 alkyl ethoxy sulphates,C6-C10 betaines or C6-C10 amine oxides could also be useful.

Long-chain surfactants useful in the detergent compositions of thepresent invention include the following.

Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids, i.e., "soaps", are usefulanionic surfactants in the compositions herein. This includes alkalimetal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ethanolamine, ammonium, andalkylammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 toabout 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbonatoms. Soaps can be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or bythe neutralization of free fatty acids. Particularly useful are theethanolamine, sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acidsderived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., monoethanolamine, sodium orpotassium tallow and coconut soap.

Useful anionic surfactants also include the water-soluble salts,preferably the alkali metal, ethanolamine, ammonium and alkylolammoniumsalts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecularstructure an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbonatoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group. (Included in theterm "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.) Examples of thisgroup of synthetic surfactants are the alkyl sulfates, especially thoseobtained by sulfating the higher alcohols (C₈ -C₁₈ carbon atoms) such asthose produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; andthe alkyl benzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains fromabout 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, in straight or branched chainconfiguration, e.g., those of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,220,099 and 2,477,383; and methyl ester sulphonates. Especiallyvaluable are linear straight chain alkyl benzene sulfonates in which theaverage number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to13, abbreviated as C₁₁ -C₁₃ LAS.

Other anionic surfactants herein are the alkyl glyceryl ethersulfonates, especially those ethers of higher alcohols derived fromtallow and coconut oil; coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonatesand sulfates; salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfatescontaining from about 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per moleculeand wherein the alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbonatoms; and salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing fromabout 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein thealkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms.

Other useful anionic surfactants herein include the water-soluble saltsof esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids containing from about 6 to 20carbon atoms in the fatty acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atomsin the ester group; water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxy-alkane-1-sulfonicacids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group andfrom about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; alkyl ethersulfates containing from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl groupand from about 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide; watersoluble salts ofolefin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms; andbeta-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from about 1 to 3 carbonatoms in the alkyl group and from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms inthe alkane moiety.

Water-soluble nonionic surfactants are also useful as surfactants in thecompositions of the invention. Indeed, preferred processes useanionic/nonionic blends. Such nonionic materials include compoundsproduced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic innature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic oralkyl aromatic in nature. The length of the polyoxyalkylene group whichis condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readilyadjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree ofbalance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.

Suitable nonionic surfactants include the polyethylene oxide condensatesof alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenolshaving an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 16 carbon atoms, ineither a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with from about4 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol.

Preferred nonionics are the water-soluble condensation products ofaliphatic alcohols containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, in eitherstraight chain or branched configuration, with from 1 to 25 moles ofethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, especially 2 to 7 moles of ethyleneoxide per mole of alcohol. Particularly preferred are the condensationproducts of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 9 to 15carbon atoms; and condensation products of propylene glycol withethylene oxide.

Other preferred nonionics are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides which may beprepared by reacting a fatty acid ester and an N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine. The preferred amine for use in the present invention isN-(R1)-CH2(CH2OH)4--CH2--OH and the preferred ester is a C12-C20 fattyacid methyl ester. Most preferred is the reaction product of N-methylglucamine (which may be derived from glucose) with C12-C20 fatty acidmethyl ester.

Methods of manufacturing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides have beendescribed in WO 9206073, published on Apr. 16, 1992. This applicationdescribes the preparation of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides in thepresence of solvents. In a highly preferred embodiment of the inventionN-methyl glucamine is reacted with a C12-C20 methyl ester.

Semi-polar nonionic surfactants include water-soluble amine oxidescontaining one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and 2moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups andhydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms;water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of about 10to 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting ofalkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to 3 carbonatoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of fromabout 10 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to 3carbon atoms.

Ampholytic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic or aliphaticderivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which thealiphatic moiety can be either straight or branched chain and whereinone of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbonatoms and at least one aliphatic substituent contains an anionicwater-solubilizing group.

Zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternaryammonium phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds in which one of thealiphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms.

Useful cationic surfactants include water-soluble quaternary ammoniumcompounds of the form R₄ R₅ R₆ R₇ N⁺ X⁻, wherein R₄ is alkyl having from10 to 20, preferably from 12-18 carbon atoms, and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are eachC₁ to C₇ alkyl preferably methyl; X⁻ is an anion, e.g. chloride.Examples of such trimethyl ammonium compounds include C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyltrimethyl ammonium chloride and cocalkyl trimethyl ammoniummethosulfate.

Other surfactants that may be used in the compositions of the presentinvention include C10-C18 glycerol ethers, C10-18 alkyl polyglycosideand their corresponding sulphated polyglycosides, alkyl estersulphonates, and oleoyl sarcosinate.

Enzymes can also be incorporated into the composition of the presentinvention.

The composition of the present invention can contain neutral or alkalinesalts which have a pH in solution of seven or greater, and can be eitherorganic or inorganic in nature. While some of the salts are inert, manyof them also function as detergency builder materials in the launderingsolution.

Examples of neutral water-soluble salts include the alkali metal,ethanolamine, ammonium or substituted ammonium chlorides, fluorides andsulfates. The sodium, ethanolamine and ammonium salts of the above arepreferred. Citric acid and, in general, any other organic or inorganicacid may be incorporated into the present invention.

Other useful water-soluble salts include the compounds commonly known asdetergent builder materials. Builders are generally selected from thevarious water-soluble, alkali metal, ethanolamine, ammonium orsubstituted ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates,polyphosphonates, carbonates, silicates, borates, andpolyhydroxysulfonates. Preferred are the sodium, ethanolamine andammonium salts of the above.

Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders are sodium andpotassium tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, polymeric metaphosphatehaving a degree of polymerization of from about 6 to 21, andorthophosphate. Examples of polyphosphonate builders are the salts ofethylene diphosphonic acid, the salts of ethane1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid and the salts of ethane,1,1,2-triphosphonic acid. Other phosphorus builder compounds aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,422,137;3,400,176 and 3,400,148, incorporated herein by reference. In general,however, phosphates are preferably avoided for environmental reasons.

Examples of nonphosphorus, inorganic builders are sodium and potassiumcarbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, tetraborate decahydrate, andsilicate having a molar ratio of SiO₂ to alkali metal oxide of fromabout 0.5 to about 4.0, preferably from about 1.0 to about 2.4.

It is preferred that the detergent composition used herein is in liquidform, comprising active components selected from those described above,the balance of the detergent composition, typically from 5t to 92% byweight, consisting of water. The preferred viscosity of the detergentcomposition is from 1 to 10000 mpa.s, more preferably from 1 to 4000mpa.s, and most preferably from 1 to 300 mpa.s.

Hydrophilic solvents for use herein are considered to be those solventshaving a Hansen parameter of either dH more than 18 (Joule/cm³)⁰.5, ordP more than 8 (Joule/cm³)⁰.5.

Preferred hydrophilic solvents are: water (including aqueous solutions);alcohol (ethanol, IPA); glycol ethers including diethylene glycol,triethylene glycol and ethylene glycol; ethylene cyanohydrin; ethanolamine and triethanolamine.

Bleaching agents may also be useful in the method of the presentinvention for treating bleachable stains. The bleaching agents may beincorporated into the compositions described above, or may be added asseparate bleaching compositions. Peroxide bleaching agents are mostpreferred.

Absorbent Layers

As used herein, the term "absorbent layers" refers to materials whichabsorb and contain fluids.

The absorbent layer may be any absorbent means which is generallycompressible, conformable, and capable of absorbing and retainingliquids. The absorbent pad may be manufactured in a wide variety ofsizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, round, asymmetric, etc.). Examplesof suitable absorbent materials include comminuted wood pulp, crepedcellulose wadding; meltblown polymers; chemically stiffened, modified orcross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue including tissue wraps and tissuelaminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers;absorbent gelling materials; or any equivalent material or combinationsof materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent padmay also be varied (e.g., the absorbent pad may have varying caliperzones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or loweraverage density and lower average basis weight acquisition zones; or maycomprise one or more layers or structures). Further, the size andabsorbent capacity of the absorbent pad may be varied.

Optionally, the absorbent layer can include a backsheet which can beeither liquid permeable (poly film) or not (e.g. non-woven, too).If thebacksheet is a poly film, the following applies: The poly backsheet ispositioned on the bottom surface of the absorbent pad and is preferablyjoined thereto by attachment means such as those well known from themanufacture of disposable articles. For example, the backsheet may besecured to the absorbent pad by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive,a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals,or spots of adhesive.

Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured byH. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed as HL-1258. Theattachment means will preferably comprise an open pattern network offilaments of adhesive as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment", which issued toMinetola et al. on Mar. 4, 1986, more preferably several lines ofadhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern such as is illustratedby the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued toSprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker,et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued to Wereniczon Jun. 27, 1989. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise heatbonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, orany other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachmentmeans as are known in the art.

The backsheet is impervious to liquids and is preferably manufacturedfrom a thin, heat resistant, plastic film, although other flexibleliquid impervious materials may also be used. The backsheet prevents theliquids absorbed and contained in the absorbent pad from wettingunderlying materials. The backsheet may thus comprise a woven ornonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films ofpolyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as afilm-coated nonwoven material.

Optionally, the absorbent layer may include a topsheet or outer,protective layer. The topsheet is liquid pervious permitting liquids toreadily penetrate through its thickness. Preferably, the characteristicsof this outer protective layer includes

that it be of appropriate design to substantially prevent loss ortransfer of fibers of the inner sorbent material outwardly therethrough,

that it preferably possesses sufficient heat transfer or heat sinkcharacteristics, to inhibit transfer of sufficient heat through to theinner sorbent material to cause substantial melting thereof; and,

that it be relatively stable to heat from contact with a hot domesticiron or the like

A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from a wide range of materials,such as porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plastic films; orwoven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers),synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or acombination of natural and synthetic fibers. There are a number ofmanufacturing techniques which may be used to manufacture this topsheet.For example, it may be a nonwoven web of fibers spunbonded, carded,wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or thelike. A preferred topsheet is carded and thermally bonded by means wellknown to those skilled in the fabrics art. A preferred topsheetcomprises a web of staple length polypropylene fibers such as ismanufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division of International PaperCompany, of Walpole, Mass. under the designatiion P-8.

Another usable non woven material is manufactured from Crown Zellerbachof Camas, under the trade name Celestra.

The absorbent structure is located between the topsheet and thebacksheet, and might comprise these two as in integral element. It canbe produced from a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials, such asalso commonly used in disposable hygienic articles, such as diapers,catamenials or Adult incontinence articles.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as absorbent layer as used in thedisposable industry are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled"High-Density Absorbent Structures" issued to Weisman et al. on Sep. 9,1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles WithDual-Layered Cores" issued to Weisman et al. on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat.No. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer" issued toAngstadt on Dec. 19, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled "HighDensity Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis WeightAcquisition Zones", issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989. Otherabsorbent pad designs are described in European Patent Application No.'s93305150.0 and 93309614.1.

Exemplary designs comprise the use of fibrous (e.g. cellulosic)materials in combination with "Superabsorbent materials", essentiallyhydrogel forming materials. Absorbent gelling materials are extensivelyused in absorbent hygiene articles such as diapers or sanitary napkins,due to their high absorption capacity for liquids, which may typicallyrange from 15 g per gram to about 50 g/g. The gelling material is mostoften applied in particulate form in particle sizes ranging from 20 to2000 micrometers.

EP-A-0 407 838 discloses a gel-forming material for use in foodstuffs,which comprises a mixture of a crosslinked polymer and a non-crosslinkedpolymer for lump-free solution in water.

EP-A-0 278 601 discloses a mixture of an absorbent gelling polymer, suchas formed from water-soluble, ethylenically unsaturated monomers orcrosslinked products thereof, including acrylic acid or a salt ofacrylic acid as the main component, and inorganic material such asaluminia, or silica. The polymers in the mixture may be comprised of anycombination of two or more chemically different types. The disclosedabsorbent mixture is suited to absorb both low-viscosity andhigh-viscosity liquids.

WO 91/12029 discloses an odor control composition comprising aggregatedabsorbent gelling material particles and zeolite material. The absorbentgelling material is made of hydrolized acrylonitrile grafted starch,acrylic acid grafted starch, polyacrylates, malice anhydride-basedcopolymers and combinations thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,464 discloses a sanitary napkin having waterabsorbent polymer which may comprise a mixture of two types of absorbentgelling material from the group consisting of starch,β-hydroxyethylacrylate, acrylonitrile, acrylic acid and acrylamide,carboxymethylcellulose, hydrophilic copolymers of acrylates, copolymersof a vinyl ester and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid andtheir saponification products, polyvinyl alcohol, and its derivatives.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,544 discloses a flexible tubular casing comprising acrosslinked hydrocolloid and naturally occurring cellulose such as sawdust, crushed corncobs, cottonlinters, wood pulp and the like,ion-exchange resins or clay minerals.

GB-B-1 544 002 discloses a mixture of a salt of an acrylic acid polymerand either guar gum, alginates or xanthan gum to provide an absorbentmaterial with good absorbent properties, irrespective of the presence ofan electrolyte in the liquid to be absorbed. Polyvalent ions may beincorporated in the absorbent composite.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,660 discloses in an absorbent product two layers ofabsorbent material of different types, such that the upper layer gelsslower than the first layer.

European Patent Specification EP-B-0 401 189 discloses that favourableproperties of absorbent products can be achieved by using two differenttypes of absorbent gelling material in separate layers, rather than as amixture of the two absorbent gelling materials in a single layer.

The hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers useful in the present inventioninclude a variety of substantially water-insoluble, but water-swellablepolymers capable of absorbing large quantities of liquids. Such polymersmaterials are also commonly referred to as "hydrocolloids", or"superabsorbent" materials. These hydrogel-forming absorbent polymerspreferably have a multiplicity of anionic, functional groups, such assulfonic acid, and more typically carboxy, groups. Examples of polymerssuitable for use herein include those which are prepared frompolymerizable, unsaturated, acid-containing monomers. Thus, suchmonomers include the olefinically unsaturated acids and anhydrides thatcontain at least one carbon to carbon olefinic double bond. Morespecifically, these monomers can be selected from olefinicallyunsaturated carboxylic acids and acid anhydrides, olefinicallyunsaturated sulfonic acids, and mixtures thereof.

Some non-acid monomers can also be included, usually in minor amounts,in preparing the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers herein. Suchnon-acid monomers can include, for example, the water-soluble orwater-dispersible esters of the acid-containing monomers, as well asmonomers that contain no carboxylic or sulfonic acid groups at all.Optional non-acid monomers can thus include monomers containing thefollowing types of functional groups: carboxylic acid or sulfonic acidesters, hydroxyl groups, amide-groups, amino groups, nitrile groups andquaternary ammonium salt groups. These non-acid monomers are well-knownmaterials and are described in greater detail, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 4,076,663 (Masuda et al), issued Feb. 28, 1978, and in U.S. Pat. No.4,062,817 (Westerman), issued Dec. 13, 1977, both of which areincorporated by reference.

Olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and carboxylic acid anhydridemonomers include the acrylic acids typified by acrylic acid itself,methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, -chloroacrylic acid, a-cyanoacrylicacid, -methylacrylic acid (crotonic acid), -phenylacrylic acid,-acryloxypropionic acid, sorbic acid, -chlorosorbic acid, angelic acid,cinnamic acid, p-chlorocinnamic acid, -sterylacrylic acid, itaconicacid, citroconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid,maleic acid, fumaric acid, tricarboxyethylene and maleic acid anhydride.

Olefinically unsaturated sulfonic acid monomers include aliphatic oraromatic vinyl sulfonic acids such as vinylsulfonic acid, alkyl sulfonicacid, vinyl toluene sulfonic acid and styrene sulfonic acid; acrylic andmethacrylic sulfonic acid such as sulfoethyl acrylate, sulfoethylmethacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate,2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropyl sulfonic acid and2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid.

Preferred hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers for use in the presentinvention contain carboxy groups. These polymers include hydrolyzedstarch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, partially neutralizedstarch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, starch-acrylic acid graftcopolymers, partially neutralized starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers,saponified vinyl acetate-acrylic ester copolymers, hydrolyzedacrylonitrile or acrylamide copolymers, slightly network crosslinkedpolymers of any of the foregoing copolymers, partially neutralizedpolyacrylic acid, and slightly network crosslinked polymers of partiallyneutralized polyacrylic acid. These polymers can be used either solelyor in the form of a mixture of two or more different polymers. Examplesof these polymer materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,875,U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,663, U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,776, U.S. Pat. No.4,666,983, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,478.

Most preferred polymer materials for use in making hydrogel-formingparticles are slightly network crosslinked polymers of partiallyneutralized polyacrylic acids and starch derivatives thereof. Mostpreferably, the hydrogel-forming particles comprise from about 50 toabout 95%, preferably about 75%, neutralized, slightly networkcrosslinked, polyacrylic acid (i.e. poly (sodium acrylate/acrylicacid)).

As described above, the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers arepreferably slightly network crosslinked. Network crosslinking serves torender the polymer substantially water-insoluble and, in part,determines the absorptive capacity and extractable polymer contentcharacteristics of the precursor particles and the resultantmacrostructures. Processes for network crosslinking the polymers andtypical network crosslinking agents are described in greater detail inthe hereinbefore-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,663, and in DE-A-4020780(Dahmen).

Although the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers can have a size varyingover a wide range, specific particle size distributions and sizes arepreferred. For purposes of the present invention, particle size isdefined for hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers that do not have a largegreatest dimension/smallest dimension ratio such as fibers (e.g.,granules, flakes, or pulverulents) as the dimension of a precursorparticle that is determined by sieve size analysis. Thus, for example, ahydrogel-forming absorbent polymer particle that is retained on astandard #30 sieve with 600 micron openings is considered to have aparticle size greater than 600 microns, a hydrogel-forming absorbentpolymer particle that passes through the #30 sieve with 600 micronopenings and is retained on a standard #35 sieve with 500 micronopenings is considered to have a particle size between 500 and 600microns, and a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer particle that passesthrough a #35 sieve with 500 micron openings is considered to have aparticle size less than 500 microns. For preferred hydrogel-formingabsorbent polymers useful in the present invention, the particles willgenerally range in size from about 1 micron to about 2000 microns, morepreferably from about 20 microns to about 1000 microns.

Further, for purposes of this invention, the mass median particle sizeof the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers is important in determiningthe characteristics and properties of the resultant particles. The massmedian particle size of a given sample of hydrogel-forming absorbentpolymer particles is defined as the particle size that divides a samplein half on a mass basis. Instead of the mass median particle size, themass average particle size could be specified as a measure for thedimension of the particles, wherein the mass average particle size isthe average particle size of the sample on a mass basis. A method fordetermining the mass median particle size of a sample is describedhereinafter in the Test Methods section. The mass median particle sizeof the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer particles will generally befrom about 20 microns to about 1500 microns, more preferably from about50 microns to about 1000 microns. For preferred hydrogel-formingabsorbent polymers useful in the present invention, the particles have amass median particle size less than about 1000 microns, more preferablyless than about 600 microns, most preferably less than about 500microns.

The particle size of materials having a large greatestdimension/smallest dimension such as fibers is typically defined bytheir largest dimension. For example, if hydrogel-forming absorbentpolymeric fibers are used in the present invention, the length of thefibers is used to define the "particle size." (The denier and/or thediameter of the fibers can also be specified.) For exemplary embodimentsof hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers useful in the present invention,the fibers have a length greater than about 5 mm, preferably betweenabout 10 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably between about 10 mm andabout 50 mm.

Preferred hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer particles of the presentinvention are those which exhibit a high absorptive capacity or TeabagCentrifuge Capacity value. Absorptive capacity, or Teabag CentrifugeCapacity, refers to the capacity of a given polymer to absorb liquidswith which it comes into contact under free-swelling conditions. TCC canvary significantly with the nature of the liquid being absorbed and withthe manner in which the liquid contacts the polymer material. Forpurposes of the present invention, Teabag Centrifuge Capacity is definedin terms of the amount of 0.9% saline solution absorbed by any givenpolymer in terms of grams of saline solution per gram of polymermaterial in a Tea bag Centrifuge Capacity test procedure hereinafterdefined in the Test Methods section. Preferred hydrogel-formingabsorbent polymer particles of the present invention are those whichhave Teabag Centrifuge Capacity values of at least about 20 grams, morepreferably at least about 25 grams, of saline solution per gram ofpolymer material. Typically, the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymerparticles useful herein have Teabag Centrifuge Capacity values of fromabout 20 grams to about 70 grams of saline solution per gram of polymer.Mixtures of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers particles having thisrelatively high absorptive capacity characteristic are especially usefulin the present invention since the resultant absorbent member formedfrom such particles can, by definition, hold desirably high amounts offluid.

Other Absorbent structures for current absorbent pads can use ofparticulate Superabsorbent materials as described above, but forming acoherent structure from these. Such "Porous, absorbent polymericmacrostructures and methods of making same" are described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,124,188/WO 91/15362 assigned to Roe et al.

Alternatively, Superabsorbent highly absorbent foam materials suitablefor use in current invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,328,935and 5,338,766, assigned to Trokhan and Phan.

Alternatively, "Absorbent Foam Materials for aqueous body fluids andabsorbent articles containing such materials" as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,268,224 assigned to DesMarais et al. are suitable for currentapplication, too

Optionally, the absorbent structure may include some specializedmaterials developed to absorb oils and greases. One example of this isT-151 oil sorbent, a 3M product, (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing,ST. Paul, Minn.), T-151 absorbent and similar absorbent materials aretypically non-woven polymeric fiber webs and include certain polyolefinpolymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, poly-4-methylpentene,arylene, styrene, and copolymers thereof, as well as polyesters,polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Methods

Teabag Centrifuge Capacity Test

The Teabag Centrifuge Capacity test measures the Teabag CentrifugeCapacity values, which are a measure of the retention of liquids in thegelling material at hydrostatic pressure

The superabsorbent material is placed within a "teabag", immersed in a0.9% by weight sodium chloride solution for 20 minutes, and thencentrifuged for 3 minutes. The ratio of the retained liquid weight tothe initial weight of the dry superabsorbent material is the absorptivecapacity of the superabsorbent material.

21 of 0.9% by weight sodium chloride in distilled water is poured into atray having dimensions 24 cm×30 cm×5 cm. The liquid filling heightshould be about 3 cm.

The teabag pouch has dimensions 6.5 cm×6.5 cm and is available from acompany called Teekanne in Dusseldorf, Germany. The pouch is heatsealable with a standard kitchen plastic bag sealing device (e.g.VACUPACK₂ PLUS from Krups, Germany).

The teabag is opened by carefully cutting it partially, and is thenweighed. A 0.200 g +/- 0.005 g sample of the superabsorbent material isplaced in the teabag. The teabag is then closed with a heat sealer. Thisis called the sample teabag.

An empty teabag is sealed and used as a blank.

Each teabag is then held horizontally, and the sample teabag is shakenso as to distribute the superabsorbent material evenly throughout thebag. The sample teabag and the blank teabag are then laid on the surfaceof the saline solution, and submerged for about 5 seconds using aspatular to allow complete wetting (the teabags will float on thesurface of the saline solution but are completely wetted). The timer isstarted immediately.

After 20 minutes soaking time the sample teabag and the blank teabag areremoved from the saline solution, and placed in a Bauknecht WS130, Bosch772 NZK096 or equivalent centrifuge (230 mm diameter), so that each bagsticks to the outer wall of the centrifuge basket. The centrifuge lid isclosed, the centrifuge is started, and the speed increased quickly to1,400 rpm . Once the centrifuge has been stabilised at 1,400 rpm thetimer is started. After 3 minutes, the centrifuge is stopped.

The sample teabag and the blank teabag are removed and weighedseparately.

The Teabag Centrifuge Capacity (TCC) for the sample of superabsorbenthydrogel-forming material is calculated as follows: ##EQU1## Mass MedianParticle Size Determination

The particle size distribution of superabsorbent material is determinedby placing a known weight of a sample in a Retsch mechanical sievingdevice, and shaking for a specified period of time under definedconditions. Sample sections that are retained on each sieve and thebottom pan are weighed and reported as percentages of the originalsample weight.

100 g +/- 0.5 g of dry superabsorbent polymeric material is weighed intoa sample sup which is then closed by a lid.

Four sieves are nested from bottom to top as follows: stainless steelbottom pan, No. 325, No. 100, No. 50 and No. 20; these being numbers ofthe U.S. sieve series (ASTM-E-11-61). The sample is transferred to theupper most of the series of sieves, and the powder is distributed evenlyaround the screen. A stainless steel cover is places on the No. 20sieve.

The nested sieves are placed in position on a Retsch testing sieveshaker Vibotronic Type VE1 with timer. It is ensured that the Retsch lidfits a s tightly as possible against the top of the shaker. The timer isset for 10 minutes, and started to begin the test. When the shaker hasstopped, the nest of sieves is removed from the shaker.

Each of the sieve fractions retained by the sieve is then weighed, forexample by different measurements, to the nearest 0.0 g.

It is important to work quickly in this test to avoid moisture pickup bythe superabsorbent material.

The mass median particle size of a given sample of hydrogel-formingabsorbent polymer particles is defined as the particle size that dividesthe sample in half on a mass basis, i.e., one-half of the sample byweight will have a particle size less than the mass median size andone-half of the sample will have a particle size greater than the massmedian size. A standard particle-size plotting method (wherein thecumulative weight percent of the particle sample retained on or passedthrough a given sieve size opening is plotted versus sieve size openingon probability paper) is typically used to determine mass medianparticle size when the 50% mass value does not correspond to the sizeopening of a U.S.A. Standard Testing Sieve. These methods fordetermining particle sizes of the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymerparticles are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,259 (Goldman et.al), issued Oct. 29, 1991, which is incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES

In the examples, all compositions are expressed as % by weight (unlessotherwise stated).

Examples 1 to 78

    ______________________________________                                        Compositions  Ex. 1   Ex. 2    Ex. 3  Ex. 4                                   ______________________________________                                        Limonene      18.3    36       23.5                                           Shellsol ®                        23.5                                    Monoethanol Amine                                                                           3                5.8    5.8                                     HLAS          16.5                                                            Butyl carbitol                                                                              10      18       11.7   11.7                                    Oleic Acid            9        6      6                                       Alkyl sulphate C8AS   10       7.8    7.8                                     Water         Balance Balance  Balance                                                                              Balance                                 ______________________________________                                        Compositions  Ex. 5   Ex. 6    Ex. 7  Ex. 8                                   ______________________________________                                        Shellsol ®                                                                              20      60       25                                             Ethylene glycol monobutyl      15     7                                       ether                                                                         Trichloroethylene                     5                                       Sodium lauryl sulphate         15     5                                       Alkyl sulphate C8AS                                                                         4                                                               Dehydol C8EO4 ®                                                                         3       5                                                       Dobanol 25C3 ®                                                                          3       10                                                      Water         Balance Balance  Balance                                                                              Balance                                 ______________________________________                                    

In Table 1, Shellsol® is a mixture of C8-C11 isoparaffins with 5%aliphatic C7 ester. Dehydol® is a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether octyl4EO, supplied by Henkel. Dobanol® is a ethoxylated primary alcohol 3EOsupplied by Shell.

A set of polycotton swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with make-up,chocolate sauce and tomato sauce. The stain was left to age for a day,in the dark, at normal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Eachsoiled swatch was cleaned by the following method:

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was the absorbent core of a diaper).

2. 1 ml of the composition of Example 1 was dripped on to the stainedarea.

3. The stained area was brushed with a conventional electricaltoothbrush for 10 seconds (the toothbrush used, a Braun® dental d3, wasone normally intended for daily oral care).

4. The steps 2. and 3. were repeated one more time.

5. 1 ml of distilled water was dripped on to the stained area, andpressure and heat were applied using an iron set at a temperature of120° C. for 10 seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used forremoving wrinkles in fabrics, was used.

6. Step 5. was repeated with a further 2 ml of distilled water.

7. The swatch was dried and smoothed.

The method of cleaning was repeated on stained swatches using thecompositions of Examples 2 to 78 in place of the composition of Example1.

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 9   Ex. 10  Ex. 11                                                                              Ex. 12                                                                              Ex. 13                               ______________________________________                                        Perchlorethylene                                                                           99.693  95.8    95    84.25 59.23                                MEA-LAS.sup.1                                                                              0.3                         40                                   Sodium Dodecyl sulphate      0.03  0.0047                                     Sodium Dioctyl sulfo-                                                                              3.2                                                      succinate                                                                     Nonyl Phenol ethoxylate      4.97  0.7455                                     8 EO                                                                          Isopropanol  0.005                                                            Ethylene glycol mono-                    0.5                                  butyl ether                                                                   Brightener   0.0002                      0.02                                 Water                Balance             Balance                              ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 Monoethanol amine salt of linear alkyl benzene sulphonic               ______________________________________                                        acid                                                                          Ingredient   Ex. 14  Ex. 15  Ex. 16                                                                              Ex. 17                                                                              Ex. 18                               ______________________________________                                        Perchlorethylene                                                                           40      20                                                       Stoddard solvent             95                                               Ethylene glycol mono-                                                                              5             5     25                                   butyl ether                                                                   Octyl phenol ethoxylate                                                                    50      10                                                       EO 7-8                                                                        Nonyl phenol ethoxylate      5                                                EO 6                                                                          Isopropyl dodecyl-   5                   50                                   benzene sulphonate                                                            Coconut diethanolamide             1                                          Isopropyl alcohol                                                                          5                     25                                         Mineral spirits                    69                                         Mineral Oil                              24                                   Optical brightener                       1                                    Perfume      0.1     0.1                                                      Water        Balance Balance --    --    --                                   ______________________________________                                        Ingredient             Ex. 19                                                 ______________________________________                                        Butoxy propoxy propanol                                                                              7                                                      1,2 octanediol         0.5                                                    Pemulen TR-1 (emulsifier from Goodrich)                                                              0.15                                                   KOH                    0.08                                                   Perfume                0.75                                                   Water                  Balance                                                                       pH = 6.5                                               ______________________________________                                        Ingredient           Ex. 20  Ex. 21                                           ______________________________________                                        Shellsol SS          33      10                                               C12-C15 alkyl ethoxylate EO 3                                                                      16      6                                                C12-C15 alkyl ethoxylate EO `9                                                                     16      6                                                Isopropyl alcohol    13      13                                               Oleic fatty acid     6       2                                                Triethanolamine      3       1.05                                             Sodium xylene sulfonate      2.4                                              Water                Balance Balance                                          ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 22  Ex. 23  Ex. 24                                                                              Ex. 25                                                                              Ex. 26                               ______________________________________                                        Sodium dodecyl sulphate                                                                    15                                                               Sodium Hexadecyl     15                                                       sulphate                                                                      Nonyl phenol ethoxylate      40                                               EO 9                                                                          Octyl phenol ethoxylate            40                                         EO 6                                                                          Octyl phenol ethoxylate                  15                                   EO 3                                                                          Pentanol     55      50      40    40    55                                   Water        Balance Balance Balance                                                                             Balance                                                                             Balance                              ______________________________________                                        Ingredient         Ex. 27  Ex. 28   Ex. 29                                    ______________________________________                                        Shellsol SS        25                                                         High flash Naphta*         50       10                                        Kerosene                            30                                        Sodium dodecyl sulphate                                                                          16                                                         Ammonium dodecanoxy-polyethlenoxy                                                                        36       40                                        ethyl sufate                                                                  mono-butyl ether of ethylene glycol                                                              20               2.5                                       Perfume            0.2     0.2      0.2                                       Water              Balance Balance  Balance                                   ______________________________________                                        *Hi-flash Naphta, a mixture of saturated hydrocarbon from Amsco               Company                                                                       ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 30      Ex. 31  Ex. 32                                       ______________________________________                                        Cyclohexanol 7           6       5                                            isopropanol              2       2.5                                          toluene      20          20      15                                           1,2 dichloroethane                                                                         18          20      6                                            1,1,1 trichloroethane                                                                      45          40      65                                           Water        Balance     Balance Balance                                      ______________________________________                                        Ingredient      Ex. 33  Ex. 34  Ex. 35                                                                              Ex. 36                                  ______________________________________                                        Citric acid     5       5       16.1  3.57                                    NaOH            3.1     3.1     10    2.21                                    Sodium dioctyl sulphosuccinate                                                                6       6       1.6   4.28                                    Nonylnonoxylnol-7 phosphate                                                                           2       1.6   1.42                                    Isopar K.sup.1  20      20      16    42.85                                   Sorbitan ester (monooleate)                                                                           0.6     0.48  0.42                                    Polyethylene sorbitan ester                                                                           1.4     1.12  1                                       (monooleate)                                                                  Limonene        1       1       1     0.71                                    Water           Balance Balance Balance                                                                             Balance                                 ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 C10-C12 isoparaffinic hydrocarbon, from Exxon                          ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 37  Ex. 38  Ex. 39                                                                              Ex. 40                                                                              Ex. 41                               ______________________________________                                        LAS                          0.32                                             Coconut alkyl sulphate                   5.28                                 C12-C14 alkyl ethoxy-                    6.32                                 late EO 7                                                                     C13-C15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                      7.84    7.47    35.88 23                                         late EO 7                                                                     Fatty acid   0                     6.2   0.16                                 Citric acid  1.03                                                             IPA                          5                                                Paraffin C9-C12      40      47.24                                            Water        Balance Balance Balance                                                                             Balance                                                                             Balance                              ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 42  Ex. 43  Ex. 44                                                                              Ex. 45                                                                              Ex. 46                               ______________________________________                                        C13-C15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                      12              1                                                late EO 3                                                                     C13-C15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                      3               5                                                late EO 7                                                                     C8 alkyl sulphate            10    14    14                                   C8 alkyl sulphonate                                                                        9       20                                                       C7-C9 alkyl ethoxy-          5                                                late EO 6                                                                     C8 alkyl ethoxylate EO 4                                                      C8-C10 alkyl ethoxy- 20      9                                                late EO 5                                                                     C8-C10 alkyl ethoxy-               20    20                                   late EO 6                                                                     C12-C13 alkyl ethoxy-              6     8                                    late EO 3                                                                     C13-C15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                      6               5                                                late EO 30                                                                    Citric acid  6               3     12    12                                   Monoethanolamine     1                                                        Triethanolamine                                                                            3                                                                Diethylene Glycol                  6     30                                   Monobutyl ether                                                               Potassium carbonate                4     4                                    Palm Kernel Fatty acid                                                                     1.2                   1     1                                    2-Butyl octanol                    1     1                                    Water and minors                                                                           Balance Balance Balance                                                                             Balance                                                                             Balance                              ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 47   Ex. 48   Ex. 49 Ex. 50                                  ______________________________________                                        C10 alkyl sulphate                                                                         1.2                                                              C12-C14 alkyl sulphate                0.5                                     C13-C15 EO 30                  0.75                                           C12-C13 EO 6.5                 0.9                                            C12-C13 EO 3 1                 1                                              C14-C15 EO 7                                                                  C9-C11 EO 10 1.6               2.6                                            Phosphonate  0.18                     0.3                                     PVP          0.2                                                              Hydrogen Peroxide                                                                          6.8               7      6                                       Chlorine              5                                                       Sulphuric Acid                                                                             0.013             0.013                                          NaOH                  1.4                                                     Na2CO3                1.25                                                    Na2SiO3               0.5                                                     Isofol 12    0.49                                                             2 Hexyl decanol                0.3                                            MA/AA.sup.1                           1                                       Isopropyl alcohol                     5                                       Optical brightener                                                                         0.04              0.06                                           Dye          0.0006            0.0006                                         Perfume      0.25                                                             Water        Balance  Balance  Balance                                                                              Balance                                              pH = 4                                                           ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 MA/AA = Acrylic maleic based copolymers, MW of 70000, the ratio        of acrylate to maleate segments vary from 10:1 to 2:1. Sokalan CP5            from BASF                                                                     ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Ex. 51   Ex. 52   Ex. 53                                    ______________________________________                                        C12 dimethyl amine oxide                                                                        1        1        1.8                                       C8 alkyl sulphate 4        8        1                                         polyacrylate (polygel DK), thickener                                                                     1.5                                                C12 fatty acid (thickener)          0.8                                       Sodium benzoate            0.5                                                NaOH up to pH     12-13    12-13    12-13                                     Water             Balance  Balance  Balance                                   ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Ex. 54   Ex. 55   Ex. 56                                    ______________________________________                                        C14-C17 alkyl sulphonate                                                                        27       20       35                                        C12-C15 alkyl ether sulphate (EO 3)                                                             4        5        8.5                                       C9-C11 alkyl ethoxylate EO 8                                                                    5.4               11                                        C8-C18 alkyl sulphate                                                                           4                 1.85                                      Water             Balance  Balance  Balance                                   ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Ex. 57   Ex. 58   Ex. 59                                    ______________________________________                                        3-(N-dodecyl-N-N-dimethyl)-2-                                                                   2        10                                                 hydroxy-propane-1 sulfonate                                                   C9-C11 alkyl ethoxylate EO 2.5                                                                  1.1      5                                                  C9-C11 alkyl ethoxylate EO 6                                                                    2.9      15                                                 C9-C11 alkyl ethoxylate EO 8        3                                         Butoxy Propoxy Propanol                                                                         5        25                                                 Oxydisuccinic acid                                                                              10       10                                                 Sodium cumene sulfonate                                                                         4.2      20                                                 Maleic acid                         20                                        Water             Balance  Balance  Balance                                                                       pH = 1                                    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient            Ex. 60  Ex. 61                                          ______________________________________                                        C12-C13 EO 6.5        2.5     25                                              Dipropylene Glycol Monbutyl Ether                                                                   3       30                                              Monoethanolamine      0.5     5                                               Sodium Dodecylbenzene sulfonate                                                                     0.5     3                                               Coconut Fatty acid    0.03    3                                               Water                 Balance Balance                                         ______________________________________                                        Ingredient            Ex. 62  Ex. 63                                          ______________________________________                                        Sodium Lauryl Sulphate                                                                              12.6    12.6                                            Isopropanol           3       16.5                                            Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether                                                                       2                                                       Amyl Acetate          0.25    0.3                                             Monopotassium Phosphate                                                                             0.9     0.9                                             Methylene chloride            5                                               Sodium EDTA                   0.05                                            Water                 Balance Balance                                         ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 64  Ex. 65  Ex. 66                                                                              Ex. 67                                                                              Ex. 68                               ______________________________________                                        Hexane               67                                                       Decane       25              32.5                                             Dodecane                           2.5   10                                   C12-C15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                      20                                                               late EO 9                                                                     C14-C15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                              20                                                       late EO 8                                                                     C12-C13 alkyl ethoxy-        35                                               late EO 5.5                                                                   C16-C18 alkyl ethoxy-              12.5  40                                   late EO 9                                                                     Ethylene glycol                                                                            55      13            81    47.5                                 Glycerol                           4     2.5                                  PEG 300                      32.5                                             ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Ex. 69   Ex. 70   Ex. 71                                    ______________________________________                                        Sodium 2,6,9 trioxa-12 hexyleicosyl                                                             6.4                                                         sulphate                                                                      Sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonoate                                                                        11.7     11.7                                      Butanol           4.1      7.3      7.3                                       NaCl              4.4      2.9      2.9                                       Kerosene                   8.5                                                isoparaffinic hydrocarbon                                                                       6.2                                                         pine oil                            8.5                                       Water             Balance  Balance  Balance                                   ______________________________________                                        Ingredient             Ex. 72  Ex. 73                                         ______________________________________                                        C14-C15 alkyl ethoxylate EO 2.25 sulphate                                                            18      9                                              C12-C13 alkyl ethoxylate EO 6.5                                                                      2       1                                              C12-C14 N-methylglucamide                                                                            6       3                                              Citric acid            4       2                                              C12-C14 fatty acid     2       1                                              Ethanol                4       2                                              1,2 propanediol        7       3.5                                            Monoethnolamine        1       0.5                                            Optical brightener     0.1                                                    Soil release polymer.sup.1                                                                           0.3     0.15                                           Boric acid             2.5     1.25                                           Protease               1.4     0.7                                            Lipase                 0.18    0.09                                           Polyethylene glycol (MW 4000)                                                                        1.5     0.75                                           Polyaspartic acid (MW 10,000)                                                                        0.5     0.25                                           NaOH                   up to   up to                                                                 pH = 10 pH = 10                                        Water                  Balance Balance                                        ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 Ethoxylated copolymer of polyethylene-polypropylene terephthalate      polysulfonic acid                                                             ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 74  Ex. 75  Ex. 76                                                                              Ex. 77                                                                              Ex. 78                               ______________________________________                                        Alkyl sulphate                                                                             16.75   1.6           4.48                                       Alkyl ethoxy sulphate                                                                      2       0.2           13.58                                      LAS                                      7.57                                 C12-C15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                      5.5     0.55    10          5.61                                 late EO 7                                                                     C12-C18 N-methylgluc-                                                                      5.5     0.55                                                     amide                                                                         Citric acid  1       0.1     16.8  0.63  1.56                                 Fatty acid   10.5    1.05    2.9   13.67                                      Carbonate                    1.2                                              Propanediol  11.5    1.15          6.97                                       Ethanol      1.4     0.14          5.08                                       PEG 200-300                  35                                               Glycerine                                4.54                                 MEA          7.8     0.78                                                     NaOH         1.2     0.12                                                     Phosphonate  1       0.01    0.5         0.21                                 Zeolite                                  28.01                                Ethoxylated tetraethyl-                                                                    0.25    0.025                                                    enpentamine                                                                   Soil release polymer                                                                       0.15    0.015                                                    CMC                          1                                                Protease     0.5     0.05    0.5                                              Lipolase     0.07    0.007                                                    Amylase      0.15    0.015   0.18                                             Cellulase    0.03    0.003                                                    CaC12        0.02    0.002                                                    Boric acid   3.5     0.35                                                     Silicone oil 0.2                                                              Dispersant   0.02                                                             Silica       0.013                                                            Propyl trimethoxy-                                                                         0.02                                                             silane                                                                        Optical brightener                                                                         0.15    0.0147                                                   Dye          0.001                                                            PB1                          13                                               PB4                                      2                                    Water        Balance Balance Balance                                                                             Balance                                                                             Balance                                           pH =                                                                          8.5                                                              ______________________________________                                    

Example 79

A set of wool, polycotton and cotton swatches (50 mm square) were soiledwith honey, salad dressing and tomato sauce. The stain was left to agefor a day, in the dark, at normal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60%RH). Each soiled swatch was cleaned by the following method.

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was the absorbent core of a diaper).

2. 1 ml of the composition of Example 74 was applied on to the stainedarea by means of an applicator of design indicated in FIG. 1. Thisapplicator comprised a bottle, a cap with a pad of polyurethane foamattached to it. The cap has a small central opening through which theliquid can pass.

After application of the detergent composition, the stain was massagedwith the outer surface of the pad to loosen it.

3. 1 ml of distilled water was sprayed on the stained area, and pressureand heat were applied using an iron set at a temperature of 80° C. for15 seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used for removingwrinkles in fabrics, was used.

4. Step 3. was repeated with a further 2 ml of distilled water.

5. The swatch was then dried and smoothed.

The method of cleaning was repeated on stained swatches using theapplicator of FIGS. 2 to 7 in place of the applicator of FIG. 1.

The method of cleaning was repeated on polycotton swatches stained withdirty motor oil using the applicator of FIG. 4 in place of theapplicator of FIG. 1 and the cleaning composition of example 5 in placeof the composition of example 74.

Examples 80 to 93

A set of cotton swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with lipstick andclay. The stain was left to age for a day, in the dark, at normal roomtemperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Each soiled swatch was, cleaned bythe following method.

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was the absorbent core of a diaper).

2. 1 ml of the composition of Example 6 was applied on to the stainedarea by means of an applicator of a design indicated in FIG. 7. Afterapplication of the detergent composition, the stain was massaged withthe tip of the cleansing bottle to loosen it.

3. 1 ml of the composition of Example 80 was sprayed on the stainedarea, and pressure and heat were applied using an iron set at atemperature of 100° C. for 15 seconds. A typical ironing pressure, asnormally used for removing wrinkles in fabrics, was used.

4. Step 3 was repeated with a further 2 ml of distilled water.

5. The swatch was then dried and smoothed.

The method of cleaning was repeated on stained swatches using theapplicator of examples 81 to 93 in place of the composition of example80.

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient             Ex. 80  Ex. 81                                         ______________________________________                                        Isopropyl alcohol      18      10                                             C8 Alkyl phenol ethoxylate EO 7-8                                                                    0.5                                                    C8-C18 alkyl ethoxylate EO 7-8 0.5                                            Citric acid            3                                                      Amonium Hydroxide      2                                                      Mazawet DF wetting agent (from Mazer)                                                                        0.2                                            Masil 1066c emulsion.sup.1     0.2                                            Coconut amine                  0.4                                            Water                  Balance Balance                                        ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 Specialty silicone fluid from Mazer                                    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient   Ex. 82  Ex. 83  Ex. 84                                                                              Ex. 85                                                                              Ex. 86                               ______________________________________                                        Isopropyl alcohol                                                                          15      5       50    35    8                                    methanol                     47                                               Diethylene glycol mono-            7.5                                        methylether                                                                   Ethylene glycol n-butyl                  1                                    ether                                                                         C12-15 alkyl ethoxy-                                                                       0.1                                                              late EO 6.5                                                                   Nonyl phenol ethoxylate            0.5                                        EO 9                                                                          Ammonium ethoxy-     0.15                                                     sulphate (Nedodol 25-3a)                                                      Triton QS-30.sup.1           0.5                                              Capryloampho-                            0.3                                  diacetate.sup.2                                                               Ammonium hydroxide   0.15    1                                                Water        Balance Balance Balance                                                                             Balance                                                                             Balance                              ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 Phosphate ester                                                        .sup.2 Wetting agent                                                          ______________________________________                                        Ingredient       Ex. 87  Ex. 88  Ex. 89                                                                              Ex. 90                                 ______________________________________                                        Octyl phenol ethoxylate EO 5                                                                   20                    5                                      Octyl phenol ethoxylate E9-10          2.5                                    Octyl phenol ethoxylate EO 12-13                                                                       5       5                                            C12-C14 alkyl sulphate                                                                         10                                                           Triton H66.sup.1         7.5     7.5   2                                      Dipropylene glycol methyl                                                                              4       4     6                                      ether                                                                         Phosphonate              2                                                    Citric acid              15            3                                      Pine oil                               0.25                                   Water            Balance Balance Balance                                                                             Balance                                ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 Potassium phosphate ester from Rohm and Haas                           ______________________________________                                        Ingredient     Ex. 91     Ex. 92  Ex. 93                                      ______________________________________                                        C10 alkyl sulphate                                                                           1.2                                                            C12-C14 alkyl sulphate            0.5                                         C13-C15 EO 30             0.75                                                C12-C13 EO 6.5            0.9                                                 C12-C13 EO 3   1          1                                                   C14-C15 EO 7                                                                  C9-C11 EO 10   1.6        2.6                                                 Phosphonate    0.18               0.3                                         PVP            0.2                                                            Isofol 12      0.49                                                           2 Hexyl decanol           0.3                                                 MA/AA.sup.1                       1                                           Isopropyl alcohol                 5                                           Water and minors                                                                             Balance    Balance Balance                                     ______________________________________                                        .sup.1 MA/AA = Acrylic maleic based copolymers, MW of 70000, the ratio        of acrylate to maleate segments vary from 10:1 to 2:1. Sokalan CP5            from BASF                                                                 

Example 94

A set of silk and wool swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with make-upand tomato sauce. The stain was left to age for a day, in the dark, atnormal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Each soiled swatch wascleaned by the following method.

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was the absorbent core of a diaper).

2. A non-linting sheet is prepared using a non-woven, two-ply fabricstock comprising polyester fibres, calliper 0.25 to 0.34 mm, basisweight 84 g/m². The fabric is cut into a 100 cm² sheet, 10 cm on a side.10 g of the composition of example 19 are applied by dipping thecomposition onto the substrate, followed by squeezing with a roller.

This sheet is placed on top of the soiled area. The area of overlapbetween the paper and the soil is brushed with a toothbrush for 10seconds. A typical pressure as normally used to clean teeth was used.After brushing the paper is discarded.

3. 1 ml of water was sprayed on the stained area, and pressure and heatwere applied using an iron set at a temperature of 40° C. for 15seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used for removingwrinkles in fabrics, was used.

4. Step 3. was repeated with a further 2 ml of water.

5. The swatch was then dried and smoothed.

In an alternate mode, the soiled area was pretreated by pressing orrubbing with a sheet prepared according to the instructions given hereabove. After pretreatment with the cleaning sheet, the stained area wascleaned with the iron in the manner described in steps 3, 4 and 5herein. In this mode of application, during the rubbing stage, the stainis pushed through the fabric onto the underlying absorbent paper.

Example 95

A set of silk and wool swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with make-upand tomato sauce. The stain was left to age for a day, in the dark, atnormal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Each soiled swatch wascleaned by the following method.

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was a sheet of kitchen paper towel).

2. A non-linting sheet is prepared using a non-woven, two-ply fabricstock comprising polyester fibres, calliper 0.25 to 0.34 mm, basisweight 84 g/m². The fabric is cut into a 100 cm² sheet, 10 cm on a side.10 g of the composition of example 19 are applied by dipping thecomposition onto the substrate, followed by squeezing with a roller.

This sheet is placed on top of the soiled area. The soiled areasandwiched between the paper towel and the cleaning sheet was insertedbetween the clips of the device of a design given in FIG. 8. The body ofthe device is made of plastic, a pad of polyurethane foam is attached oneach side of the clip.

After insertion of the sheet/soil/absorbent paper assembly within theclips. The gap between the sponges is closed by applying pressure to theconnecting means as indicated by the arrow, thereby causing the spongesto contact with the cleaning sheet and the paper towel. The tool thusdesigned allows pushing of the stain through the fabric onto theunderlying absorbent paper without any damage to the fabric.

3. 1 ml of water was sprayed on the stained area, and pressure and heatwere applied using an iron set at a temperature of 40° C. for 15seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used for removingwrinkles in fabrics, was used.

4. Step 3. was repeated with a further 2 ml of water.

5. The swatch was then dried and smoothed.

The method of cleaning was repeated on stained swatches using the spotcleaning device of FIG. 9 in place of the spot cleaning device of FIG.8.

Example 96

A set of polycotton swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with make-up,chocolate sauce and tomato sauce. The stain was left to age for a day,in the dark, at normal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Eachsoiled swatch was cleaned by the following method:

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was the absorbent core of a diaper).

2. 1 ml of the composition of Example 1 was dripped on to the stainedarea.

3. The stained area was brushed with a dual-temperature cordlessmassager from Ultratherm®, model TM2000.

4. The steps 2. and 3. were repeated one more time.

5. 1 ml of distilled water was dripped on to the stained area, andpressure and heat were applied using an iron set at a temperature of120° C. for 10 seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used forremoving wrinkles in fabrics, was used.

6. Step 5. was repeated with a further 2 ml of distilled water.

7. The swatch was dried and smoothed.

The method of cleaning was repeated on stained swatches using thecompositions of Examples 2 to 5, and 19 in place of the composition ofExample 1.

Example 97

A set of polycotton swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with make-up,chocolate sauce and tomato sauce. The stain was left to age for a day,in the dark, at normal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Eachsoiled swatch was cleaned by the following method:

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was the absorbent core of a diaper).

2. 1 ml of composition of example 19 was dripped on to the stained area,and pressure and heat were applied using an iron (Braun® Saphir 7000)set at a temperature of 100° C. for 10 seconds. A typical ironingpressure, as normally used for removing wrinkles in fabrics, was used.

3. The steps 2. and 3. were repeated one more time.

4. 1 ml of distilled water was dripped on to the stained area, andpressure and heat were applied using an iron set at a temperature of120° C. for 10 seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used forremoving wrinkles in fabrics; was used.

5. Step 4. was repeated with a further 2 ml of distilled water.

6. The swatch was dried and smoothed.

The method of cleaning was repeated on stained swatches using thecompositions of Examples 1 to 8, and in place of the composition ofExample 19.

Example 98

A set of silk and wool swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with make-up,chocolate sauce and tomato sauce. The stain was left to age for a day,in the dark, at normal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Eachsoiled swatch was cleaned by the following method:

1. The stained area was placed directly upon a strip of absorbent paper(the paper used was the absorbent core of a diaper).

2. The water tank of a Rowenta® Steam Brush DA55 was filled with thecomposition of Example 19. The appliance was placed over the stainedarea, and 1 ml of the detergent composition was steamed on to it.

3. 1 ml of the detergent composition was steamed over the soiled area.At the same time, the soiled area was brushed with the cloth brushattached to the head of the appliance.

4. The steps 2. and 3. were repeated one more time.

5. 1 ml of distilled water was dripped on to the stained area, andpressure and heat were applied using an iron set at a temperature of120° C. for 10 seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used forremoving wrinkles in fabrics, was used.

6. Step 5. was repeated with a further 2 ml of distilled water.

7. The swatch was dried and smoothed.

In an alternate mode, after the pretreament with the detergentcomposition indicated in steps 2, 3 and 4 herein. The water tank wasemptied of the detergent composition and filled with distilled water. 1ml of distilled water was then dripped on to the stained area, andpressure and heat were applied using the Rowenta® Steam Brush DA55.

Example 99

A set of silk and wool swatches (50 mm square) were soiled with make-upand tomato sauce. The stain was left to age for a day, in the dark, atnormal room temperature (c.a. 20° C., 60% RH). Each soiled swatch wascleaned by the following method.

1. A non-linting sheet is prepared using a non-woven, two-ply fabricstock comprising polyester fibres, calliper 0.25 to 0.34 mm, basisweight 84 g/m². The fabric is cut into a 100 cm² sheet, 10 cm on a side.10 g of the composition of example 19 are applied by dipping thecomposition onto the substrate, followed by squeezing with a roller.

A hand-held spot removal device as shown in FIG. 10 is prepared usingconventional plastic injection molding techniques and apparatus. Thearms which comprise the connecting means are fashioned frompolypropylene, about (0.48 cm) in thickness. The connecting means mayeach have a uniform width of about (1.9 cm), or can be shaped to providea more aesthetically pleasing aspect by gently narrowing the connectingmeans to a width of about (1.27 cm) at the bend shown in the Figure. Theoverall length of the device is about (13.34 cm).

The diameter of the base of each treatment member is about (3.33 cm) andthe diameter of the region of the looped protrusions extending outwardlyfrom each treatment member is about (2.86 cm).

Due to the angle of the bend between the arms of the connecting meansand the resiliency of the polypropylene, the gap between the first andsecond treatment members is about (1.59 cm) when the device is at rest.When squeezed by hand pressure, the gap is easily closed such that theprotrusions which extend from each treatment members are brought intocontact with opposite sides of the stains on the fabrics being treated.

With respect to the multiple protusions which comprise the first andsecond treatment member, in this device the protrusions comprise stiff,looped monofilament fibers which extend from the face of each treatmentmember for a distance of about 2.0 mm.

The soiled area is moistened with cleaning composition by gently dabbingit with a sheet article of the foregoing type. Once moist, a device ofthe type shown in FIG. 10 is placed at the stained area, with thetreatment members on either side of the fabric area of staining. Thedevice is squeezed 10-30 times, slowly, to bring the illustrated loopedprotuberances into close contact with the fabric, thereby loosening thestain without damaging the fabric surface. The area is then again paddedwith the sheet article.

2. The stained area was then placed directly upon a slip of absorbentpaper (the paper used was a sheet of kitchen paper towel).

3. 1 ml of water was sprayed on the stained area, and pressure and heatwere applied using an iron set at a temperature of 40° C. for 15seconds. A typical ironing pressure, as normally used for removingwrinkles in fabrics, was used.

4. Step 3 was repeated with a further 2 ml of water.

5. The swatch was then dried and smoothed.

The method of cleaning was repeated on stained swatches using the spotcleaning device of FIG. 8 to 9 in place of the spot cleaning device ofFIG. 10.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a spot or stain on atextile fabric comprising the steps of:applying a detergent compositionto the spot or stain; placing an absorbent layer adjacent to one side ofthe textile fabric in the region of the spot or stain; and applying heatand pressure to the opposing side of the textile fabric with an iron,heated roller, or a heated applicator, in the region of the spot orstain so that some or all of the spot or stain is absorbed into theabsorbent layer.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step ofapplying both heat and pressure to the textile fabric in the region ofthe spot or stain also comprises the step of applying a hydrophilicsolvent, or water to the textile fabric in the region of the spot orstain.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the detergentcomposition comprises a hydrophobic solvent.
 4. A method according toclaim 3 wherein the hydrophobic solvent is selected from the groupconsisting of aliphatic, cyclo-aliphatic, halogen-substituted aliphatic,aromatic hydrocarbons, isoparaffin, terpenes and mixtures thereof.
 5. Amethod according to claim 3 wherein the detergent composition furthercomprises surfactant a having a carbon chain length of from C4 to C10,and surfactant a having a carbon chain length of C12 to C20.
 6. A methodaccording to claim 3 wherein the detergent composition comprises:a) from3 to 90% by weight of hydrophobic solvent; b) from 5 to 50% by weight ofsurfactant; and c) from 5% to 92% by weight of water.